Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-05-26


overcome the mothers repugnance,
and, what was more to the point, how
he had brought himself to the point of
being willing to operate upon a live
subject. Twas never so curious. and /
was certainly never so worried.
About noon, while Tom was out on
one of his secret errands. a young
woman called. I seemed to be grow
ing crazy in this surcharged atmos-
phere; for 1 Immediately imagined
that the visitor was Miss Lodeneraft's
nurse, and was right. She seemed
trying hard to suppress some great
emotion, but, when she found that the
doctor was not in. it became quite be-
yond control.
81 must see him, SIR she said. land
at once. Some errands can wait, she
added. but mine can not"
"He may be in at any moment"
replied, with as much tranquility as I
could scare up.
Cant you telephone. or dispatch
messenger or-some thing?" she in
quired, commencing to pace over the
same strip of carpet that two others
had tried to wear threadbare this
morning.
'.It is truly of the greatest impor-
tance." she stopped after moments
pause to say. ''You are Doctor Car
rolton's friend, believe. I saw you
in his carriage awhile ago. You see,
sir, I promised the doctor to remain
at Mrs. Lodencraft's to-day and per-
form-I mean do him slight service;
but have just been dismissed, and
he ought not to remain in ignor ance
of it single moment"
At this crisis Tom entered, If I were
to live thousand years can never
forget how his face looked when he
caught sight of his visitor.
What are you here for?'' he de-
manded, roughly.
II have been sent away" the nurse
explained.
"What!' said Tom.
had walked into the inner Office,
not wishing to be an obstacle to con-
versation, but determined to hear, if
possible, every word that was uttered.
II have been able to obey your or
ders to the letter." said the nurse, land
it is certainly not half an hour since /
left the house"
''And there has been no changer
ooh, l don't know" was the reply,
in an agonized tone. II can not tell
it may have been my Imagination
truly, doctor, there was nothing to
base professional hope upon" she
added, as Tom, by the sound, must
have started for the door. The girls
voice was laden with tears. Indeed,
her grief and anxiety seemed scarcely
second to her companions.
"Who dismissed you?" Tom inquired,
after another pregnant pause.
@"Mr. Lodencraft paid me-" was the
| cautious response.
did YOU see his mother?'' was the
next inquiry.
II did not; but she was represented
as saying that she could not bear to
part with me at such time. but that
my room was needed for relatives,
momentarily expected"
miss Thurston, you must go back, y
said Tom, after striding up and down
! the office few times. Tell the serv-
ants you left something. ! met Loden.
| craft as came 1n-he was on his way
down town-he won't be back for an
hour at least. If you can't do any bet
ter, make a confidant of the house
| keeper and tell her I say to lock YOU
| in. That room won't be disturbed by
the family much, you may be sure. &c
now; don't wait another second"
Immediately after this the dool
closed, and was alone.
Tom did not show up at the office
again that afternoon, but about three
o'clock 1 received the following note
by messengers:
| DEAR JACK: II Lodencraft comes in tel
him that certain suspicious circumstances
make an autopsy necessary from judicia
standpoint. Twig him. TOM"
Three-uuarters of an hour later tn
twigging opportunity presented itself
Lodencraft arrived, looking, it seemed
to me, an older man by ten years thai
in the morning.
..Where's the doctor?" said he.
Don't know said l.
did he leave that certificatep" wa
the next question.
ooh, you are Mr.. LodencraftP"
replied 'No, he did not, but he LET
message"
} "Yes-well?
J He desired me to tell you than a
J autopsy was inevitable
..What the-.why is it inevitable p
. he asked, an ashen shade overspread
, ing his face.
''Well, it seems" responded, keep
|, ing my eyes on the young man, "tha
) when physicians are not able to find
: cause, the law must
At this point my companion was in
scrutable 1 never felt more disaE
pointed then when he drew out hi
watch, compared it closely with tn
, clock on the mantel, closed it with
e sharp click, and without the slightes
t haste or apparent nervousness move
5 toward the door.
S II was under the impression tn;
Y such decisions were always made b
. the family" he remarked. as if thel
was nothing to do now but subm
), with good grace,
Y 'In ordinary cases I presume 20
are right" I answered. mo doul
$ the doctor could explain the matte
= much more satisfactorily than can,
= I added, with desire to haul in m
{ horns little if had been driven int
II doing this man an injustice.
IL. L. Il